Automatic target setter and changer



April 5, 1960 c. HUDKINS AUTOMATIC TARGET SETTER AND CHANGER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 7, 1958 ZNVENTOR.

Clyde Hudkins April 5, 1960 a c. HUDKINS 2,931,655

AUTOMATIC TARGET SETTER AND CHANGER Filed April 7, 195a 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 36 Fig.3 3 Fig.2

Clyde INVENTOR.

United States Patent AUTOMATIC TARGET SETTER AND CHANGER Clyde Hudkins, Wheeling, W. Va.; Eva L. Hudkins, executrix of said Clyde Hudkins, deceased Application April 7, 1958, Serial No. 726,698

Claims. (Cl. 273105.6)

This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in targets and firearms, and more specifically to an improved automatic target setter and changer.

When target firing, normally the target is either fixedly supported in which case it is necessary that someone approach the target, remove it and bring it back to the firing line in order to determine the hits made, or it is necessary that there be provided some sort of cable arrangement for moving the target support from the target position to the firing line so that the target may be changed. Both of these are particularly slow. Further, the former is dangerous inasmuch as there is always the possibility of someone firing at a target while a person is in the vicinity of the target.

Also, there is a sport normally referred to as a turkey shoot wherein a large number of individuals fire a single shot with a shotgun with that individual placing a pellet nearest the center of the individual target being judged the winner. At the present time turkey shoots must be held in the open or too much time is consumed in running the turkey shoot. It is desirable that there be provided a means whereby a single target fixture may be provided and at the same time the target may be immediately set, changed and inspected as the firing progresses.

It is therefore the primary object of this invention to provide an improved target setter and changer, the target setter and changer being so constructed whereby after 2,931,655 Patented Apr. 5, 1960 each shot is fired, the target may be removed and replaced by a new target, and there being provided means for either storing the used targets in proper sequence, or for returning the used targets to the firing line.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved target setter andchanger, the target setter and changer being so constructed whereby when actuated a target is automatically removed from the machine and a new target'is positioned.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved target setter which includes a chute carrying a housing in which a supply of individual targets are placed, and there being provided a target holder, the target holder cooperating with the chute to maintain a target in a firing position, the target holder having means for moving the target holder from a target holding position to a target releasing position and there being means connected to the first mentioned means for automatically positioning another target in 'the chute so that it may be immediately engaged with the target holder when it returns to its target holding position.

Another object of this invention is to provide an ink proved target setter and changer, the target setter and changer being so constructed whereby a plurality of individual targets may be positioned and when desired each target may bechanged with the used targets falling onto a conveyor and being returned to the firing line for inspection. I r

' These together with other objects and advantages which of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the target setter and changer which is the subject of this invention and shows the general details thereof;

Figure 2 is a rear elevational view on a large scale of the target setter and changer and only shows the target setting and changing components thereof;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 3-3 of Figure 2 and shows the specific operating components of the target setter and changer;

Figure 4' is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 44 of Figure 3 and shows the manner in which targets are individually dispensed from a target storage housing;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a modified form of target holder;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of still another modified form oftarget holder; and

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of yet another form of target holder. 1

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there is illustrated in Figure 1 the target setter and changer which is the subject of this invention, the target setter and changer being referred to in general by the'reference numeral 10. Associated with the target setter and changer 10 is a conveyor 12, a trip line assembly 14 and a chute 16. Inasmuch as the target changer and setter 10 is the basic component of the pres-.

' ent invention, the details thereof will be set forth first.

The target setter and changer 10 includes a pair of supports 18 which may be anchored into the ground in any desired manner. Also, the supports 18 may be of any construction. Carried by the supports 18 is a chute construction which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 20. As is best illustrated in Figure 3, the chute construction 20 includes a front wall 22 which is elongated and which is vertically disposed. Spaced rearwardly of the front wall 22 is a rear Wall 24. The rear wall 24 has an upwardly and rearwardly curving upper portion 26 whereas the bottom portion 28 thereof is disposed in spaced parallel relation to the front wall 22.

The target setter and changer 10 also includes a target storage housing which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 30. The target storage housing 30 includes a front wall 32 which is an integral extension of the front wall 22. It also includes a rear wall 34 and side walls 36. Disposed in the front part of the target storage housing 30 is a spacer block 38.

It is to be noted that the side walls 36 extend downwardly below that area wherein individual targets, such shown in Figure 2, the pusher plate 48 is of a greater width than the traveling member 46 and overlies the guide members 44.

members 44. Thus the guide members 44 function as tracks for the traveling member 46.

The rear Wall 34 is provided with a rearward extension 52. The extension 52 is positioned so that it closely overlies the pusher plate 48. In order to assure that Also carried by the traveling member 46 is a lower guide strip 50 which underlies the guide aseaess targets 40 will not move rearwardly between the pusher plate 48 and the extension 52, there is provided a pin 54 which projects down into a groove 56 formed in the pusher plate 48 in the rear part; of the traveling mem ber 46. l

. As is best shown in Figure 3, the targets 40 normally rest upon the upper forward part of the traveling member 46. As the traveling member 46 moves from right to left, as viewed in Figure 3, the lowermost target 40 is engaged by the pusher plate 48 and is moved to the left to the dotted line position. The front wall 22 of the chute 20 is provided with a support block 58 which underlies the forwardly advanced target 40. As the traveling member 46 moves rearwardly, the target 40 drops down on the member 58 and then is flipped so that the rear end thereof drops down first into the target chute 20.

The front wall 22' and the rear wall 28 of the target chute 20 are provided with aligned openings 60 and 62, respectively. The openings 60 and 62 are of a greater width than a target, but of a less height than a target. The, opening 62 is, however, of a greater height than the opening 60.

: Aligned with the openings 60 and 62 and disposed rearwardly of the target chute 20 is a target holder 64. The target holder 64 is generally rectangular in outline and is of a largersize than the opening 62. By the lower part of the target holder 62 is a plurality of forwardly projecting fingers 66 which terminate in upward- 1y turned forward ends 68. When a target 40 drops down into the target chute 20, it rests upon the fingers 66 aligned with the openings 60 and 62, the fingers 66 being disposed at the bottom of the opening 60.

The target holder 64 is carried by a lever 70 which is mounted intermediate its ends on a transverse pivot pin 72, the pivot pin 72 being carried by suitable brackets 74 carried by the target chute 20. The upper end of the lever 70 is provided with a pin 76 which is in turn re ceived in slots 78 of depending cars 80 of an inverted U-shaped member 82. The member 82 is secured to the underside of the traveling member 46. Thus as the target holder 64 moves rearwardly, the traveling member 46 moves forwardly to advance a target 40 to a posi tion to be dropped into the target chute 20.

, In order that the target holder 64 may automatically be returned to its target holding position, there is provided a simple return member in the form of a spring 84. The spring 84 is terminally anchored to eyes 86 carried by the target chute 20.

. Referring now to Figure 1 in particular, it will be seen that the conveyor 12 is disposed in offset relation to the target setter and changer and is disposed a considerable distance therebelow. The end of the conveyor 12, not shown, will be at the firing line for the particular target. get setter and changer 10 may automatically be placed on the conveyor 12 for return thereof to the firing line, there has been provided the chute 16. The chute 16 ex tends off to one side of the target setter and changer 10 and terminates in overlying relation to the conveyor 12. The chute 16 has the lower end thereof supported by means of suitable supports 86. The supports 86 may be anchored in the ground or may be of any type which straddle the conveyor 12. Also, the supports 86 may serve to help support the conveyor 12.

. Depending on the particular type of firearm being used, the target holder 64 may or may not be automatically moved to a rearward position. If the impact of the missle is sufficient, then the target holder 64 will be driven rearwardly to its dotted line position of Figure 3 inwhich event the operation of the target setter and changer will be entirely automatic. arms, such as shotguns are used, the impact will be in- SUlTlClBfll'. to operate the target holder 64. Accordingly, there is provided the trip line assembly 14 which includes itl'vi p line 88.wh ich extends over suitable pulleys 90 andv In order that targets 40 dispensed from the tar- On the other hand, when fire- 92 carried by supports 94 and 96, respectively. The trip line 88 is terminally connected to the lower end of the lever 70 by means of an eye 98, as is best shown in Figure 3. The other end of the trip line 88 terminates at the firing line. In order that the portion of the trip line 88 disposed adjacent the target setter and changer 10 may be protected, there is provided a suitable barrier 100.

In the operation of the invention as shown in Figure 1, with a target in position, the target is fired at. Then the trip line assembly 14 is actuated to move the target holder 62 rearwardly from its solid line position of Figure 3 to its dotted line position in the same figure. When the target holder 64 moves rearwardly, the fingers 66 pull the lower end of the target 40 just fired upon rearwardly so as to pull it through the opening 62 and deposit it into the upper end of the chute 16. The target 40 then drops down through the chute 16 onto the conveyor 12. At the same time a next lower target 40 disposed in the target storage housing 30 is moved forwardly. When the trip line 88 is relased, the spring 84 automatically returns the target holder 64 to its solid line position of Figure 3 at which time the next advanced target 40 is released and drops down through the chute 20 into position on the fingers 66. The next target is ready to be fired upon.

At this time it is pointed out that the conveyor 12 may be dispensed with if desired, and the chute 16 may be provided with a bottom wall. This will permit the targets to be stored in the chute 16 in the sequence in which they have been fired upon. The targets 40 may then be. removed from the chute 16 in their proper order and thus readily identified.

Referring now to Figure 5 in particular, it will be seen that there is illustrated a modified form of target holder which is referred to by the reference numeral 102. The target holder 102 in lieu of being in the form of a solid plate is in the form of an open frame. The target holder 102 will be provided with fingers 104 which are identical with the fingers 66. The purpose of the target holder 102 as opposed to the target holder 64 is that the target. holder 102 may be used in conjunction with rifles and will permit the firing of a rifie through the target and into a suitable stop, such as sandbags and the like. Otherwise, the operation of the target setter and changer 10 utilized in the target holder 102 will be the same as that previously described.

Referring now to Figure 6 in particular, it will be seen that there is illustrated a slightly modified form of target holder assembly than that illustrated in Figure 3. The target holder assembly of Figure 6 differs from the target holder assembly of Figure 3 in that the spring 84 has been removed and in lieu thereof there has been provided a return weight assembly which is referred to in general, by the reference numeral 106. The return weight assembly 106 includes a support pin 108 which is secured to the lower end of the lever 70 and which extends downwardly and rearwardly therefrom. Carried by the support pin 108 is a weight 110. The weight 110 being eccentrically mounted with respect to the pivot pin 72 causes the target holder 64 to swing into the vertical position ready for receiving a target as soon as it is released. When the target holder assembly illustrated in Figure 6 is used, then the trip line assembly 14 may be dispensed with. in the event the particular firearm being used fires a missle which will move the target holder 64 rearwardly to its dotted line position shown in Figure 3.

Illustrated in Figure 7 is a modified form of actuator which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 112. The trip line assembly 14 and the spring 84 have both been dispensed with and there has been provided they actuator assembly 112. The actuator assembly 112 includes an electromagnetic device 114 with a movable shaft 116. The shaft 116 terminates in a bifurcated fitting 118 which is in turn connected to the lever 70 below the pivot pin 72 bymeans of atransverse pin 120. .A suitable electrio wire 122 is providedand may be connecte'dtb a suitable power sourcetnot shown) for-operation by means of a switch also not shown. The electromagnetic device 114 is carried by a support bracket 124 secured to the rearof the target chute 20. It is to be understood that thejelectro'magnetic device 114 will be spring loaded so that the return of the lever -70 to its initial position will be automatic.

From the foregoing, it will be readily apparent that there has been devised an automatic target setter and changer which is so constructed whereby it is not only foolproof in operation, but will readily and quickly position targets as the old targets have been removed therefrom. Further, the invention is so constructed whereby the expense of manufacture is reasonable to warrant the use thereof.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the' scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An automatic target setter comprising a target storage housing, a target guide chute mounted below said target storage housing for guiding freely falling targets, a target holder for receiving targets from said target chute, means pivotally suspending said target holder from said target chute for swinging movement from a target holding position to a target releasing position, a target feed mem ber supported relative to said target storage housing for feeding individual targets to said target chute.

2. An automatic target setter comprising a target storage housing, a target guide chute mounted below said target storage housing for guiding freely falling targets, a target holder for receiving targets from said target chute, means pivotally suspending said target holder from said target chute for swinging movement from a target holding position to a target releasing position, a target feed member supported relative to said target storage housing for feeding individual targets to said target chute, said means being connected to said target feed member for causing said feed member to feed a target into said target chute in response to said swinging movement of said target holder to said target releasing position.

3. An automatic target setter comprising a target storage housing, a target guide chute mounted below said target storage housing for guiding freely falling targets, a target holder for receiving targets from said target chute, means pivotally suspending said target holder from said target chute for swinging movement from a target holding position to a target releasing position, a target feed member supported relative to said target storage housing for feeding individual targets to said target chute, said target chute forming a support for said target storage housing.

4. An automatic target setter comprising a target storage housing, a target guide chute mounted below said tar get storage housing for guiding freely falling targets, a target holder for receiving targets from saidtarget chute, means pivotally suspendingsaid target holder from said target chute for swinging movement from a target holding position to a target releasing position, a target feed member supported relative to said target storage housing for feeding individual targets to said target chute, a target viewing opening through said target chute aligned with said target holder.

5. An automatic target setter comprising a target storage housing, a target guide chute mounted below said target storage housing for guiding freely falling targets, a target holder for receiving targets from said target chute, means pivotally suspending said target holder from said target chute for swinging movement from a target holding position to a target releasing position, a target feed member supported relative to said target storage housing for .6 feeding individual targets .to said target chute, 'atarget viewing opening through said target chute aligned with said target holder, said target holder including a backing and target supporting fingers projecting into said target viewing opening from said backing for supporting a target in alignment with said target viewing opening.

6. An automatic target setter comprising a target storage housing, a target guide chute mounted below said target storage housing for guiding freely falling targets, a target holder for receiving targets from said target chute, means pivotally suspending said target holder from said target chute for swinging movement from a target holding position to a target releasing position, a target feed member supported relative to said target storage housing for feeding individual targets to said target chute, and a target receptacle below said target holder for receiving released targets from said target holder.

7. An automatic target setter comprising a target storage housing, a target guide chute mounted below said target storage housing for guiding freely falling targets, a target holder for receiving targets from said target chute, means pivotally suspending said target holder from said target chute for swinging movement from a target holding position'to a target releasing position, a target feed member supported relative to said target storage housing for feeding individual targets to said target chute, and a target receptacle below said target holder for receiving released targets from said target holder, said target receptacle having an open bottom, a target return conveyor underlying said target receptacle for receiving targets therefrom and conveying such targets to a firing line.

8. An automatic target setter comprising a target storage housing, a target guide chute mounted below said target storage housing for guiding freely falling targets, a

target holder for receiving targets from said target chute,

means pivotally suspending said target holder from said target chute for swinging movement from a target holding position to a target releasing position, a target feed member supported relative to said target storage housing for feeding individual targets to said target chute, said means being connected to said target feed member for causing said feed member to feed a target into said target chute in response to said swinging movement of said target holder to said target releasing position, operating means connected to said means for swinging said target holder to a target releasing position from a remote point.

9. An automatic target setter comprising a target storage housing, a target guide chute mounted below said target storage housing for guiding freely falling targets, a target holder for receiving targets from said target chute, means pivotally suspending said target holder from said target chute for swinging movement from a target holding position to a target releasing position, a target feed member supported relative to said target storage housing for feeding individual targets to said target chute, said means being connected to said target feed member for causing said feed member to feed a target into said target chute in response to said swinging movement of said target holder to said target releasing position, operating means connected to said means for swinging said target holder to a target releasing position from a remote point, and biasing means for returning said target holder to a target holding position.

10. An automatic target setter comprising a target storage housing, a target guide chute mounted below said target storage housing for guiding freely falling targets, a target holder for receiving targets from said target chute, means pivotally suspending said target holder from said target chute for swinging movement from a target holding position to a target releasing position, a target feed member supported relative to said target storage housing for feeding individual targets to said target chute, and a target receptacle below said target holder for receiving used targets from said target holder, said target receptacle having an open bottom, a target return conveyor under- 8; References Cited in the file of this natent- UNITED STATES PATENTS Thompson 'Oet. 19,1915 Pickett Nov. 16 19 15- Caswell Feb. 19, 1935 Hibberd Aug. 2, 1938 McKenzie May 27, 1952 

